Chelsea extend EPL lead with 2-1 win

Chelsea players celebrate a goal as security escort a spectator from the pitch during the English Premier League match between West Ham and Chelsea at London Stadium yesterday. Chelsea won 2-1.

LONDON (AP):

Chelsea took a confident step closer to the English Premier League title with goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa enough to sweep aside London rivals West Ham 2-1 yesterday.

The result lifts Chelsea 10 points clear of second-place Tottenham, with 11 games left.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte celebrated with away fans at the end of the match as they sang "We're going to win the league." The 47-year-old Italian is on course to win the title in his maiden season in English football.

After dominating the league leaders in the first quarter at the London Stadium, West Ham were stung by a blistering counter-attack set up by N'Golo Kante's intercept.

Chelsea's Hazard and Pedro then combined to devastating effect. Belgium midfielder Hazard surged forward and was on the end of a decisive one-two to score the opener in the 25th minute.

As Hazard slid to his knees to celebrate, a West Ham fan rushed on to the pitch towards the player, but stewards managed to intervene in time.

Costa netted the second in the 50th as West Ham midfielder Pedro Obiang flicked Cesc Fabregas' corner straight to the Spain striker who gratefully nudged in from close range.

It was Costa's 17th league goal this season.

Manuel Lanzini notched mid-table West Ham's consolation goal in second-half injury time as West Ham fought to the end.